The process of applying for Study Abroad is cumbersome and painstaking with a long list of documents to be furnished for each University/College where you wish to apply for admission and most importantly to Foreign Embassies for Study Visas. We have compiled an exhaustive list of documents required throughout the application process as mentioned below but requirements differ a lot for individual to individual & their chosen destination.

1. Statement of Purpose (SOP)/Essay:

A statement of purpose, or essay or personal statement, is a brief and focused essay about one's career or research goals, and is frequently required for applicants to universities, graduate schools, and professional schools. A statement of purpose (SoP) is a concise essay about one's career goals, identified means to achieve them and accomplishments so far towards those goals. It is a required document when applying for admission to most professional programs in the United States. Often, SoP is used as a yardstick to assess the capabilities of a prospective student in terms of critical thinking, analytical abilities, interests, aims and aspirations. It is a good way for an applicant to communicate with the admissions committee. Most admissions committees look for a short, crisp and ideologically clear SoP.

It is also known as a Graduate School Essay. Other universities sometimes call it a "Letter of Intent", "Letter of Intention", "Statement of Intent", "Statement of Intention", "Statement of Interest", "Goals Statement", "Personal Statement", "Personal Narrative" or "Application Essay". The name can be just a name but often it influences content and length of the essay. Every university has its own regulations, but most of the time it will be 1-2 pages.

2. Letter of Recommendation (LOR)/Reference Letters:

A letter of recommendation is a letter in which the writer assesses the qualities, characteristics, and capabilities of the person being recommended in terms of that individual’s ability to perform a particular task or function. Recommendation letters are almost always specifically requested to be written about someone, and are therefore addressed to a particular requestor. Letters of recommendation are typically related to employment, admissions to institutions of higher education or scholarship eligibility.

Recommendation vs reference

The term "recommendation letter" and reference is often same and used interchangeably with the term "reference letter"; however, there is a difference between the two types. Letters of recommendation are very specific in nature and normally requested/required and are always addressed to an individual, whereas letters of reference are more general in nature and are usually addressed "To Whom It May Concern".

3. Offer Letter / I20:

Offer Letter or I20 (for USA), is a letter of acceptance issued to you by the University/College where you have applied for admission. Based on the documents submitted by you for admission the University/College will issue you either Conditional or Unconditional Offer Letter upon acceptance. An Unconditional Offer letter is usually considered as a confirmed admission letter subject to Tuition Fee deposit before the due date mentioned in the Offer Letter. On the other hand a Conditional Offer Letter is a confirmation of acceptance subject to fulfilment of requirements mentioned in the Conditional Offer Letter, the most common conditions in a Conditional Offer Letter are; Minimum IELTS/TOEFL Score required or Minimum GRE/GMAT Score required or Final Transcripts of your latest academic qualification, etc

4. Academic Documents:

10th Grade Transcripts & Certificate

12th Grade Transcripts & Certificate

Bachelor’s Transcripts & Degree (for Masters/PG Programs Only)

Diploma Transcripts & Certificate (if available)

Master's Transcripts & Degree (if available)

Other Diplomas/Certificates (if available)

5. Work Experience Documents:

Latest Joining Letter

Latest Salary Slip

Employment Certificates from all Previous Employers

6. Financial Documents:

Bank Statement

Sanction Letter of Education Loan

Proof of Investments

Property Documents

Income Tax Documents of the Self/Sponsors

CA Reports

7. Resume / CV :

A resume is a document used by individuals to present their background and skillsets. Resumes can be used for a variety of reasons, to secure admission or new employment. A typical resume contains a summary of relevant job experience and education. The resume is typically one of the first items which is used to screen applicants, sometimes followed by an interview, when seeking admission. The resume is comparable to a curriculum vitae in many countries, although in English Canada and the United States it is substantially different.